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Roddilla
Apr 6, 2012, 08:17 AM
Why do we say that macrophages are part of the innate immune system if they still have to recognise the antigen with specific receptors like the T cells and B cells?

Roddilla
Apr 6, 2012, 08:22 AM
What is exactly the role of antibodies? I know they activate compliment proteins but am I correct to think that they make it easier got eosinophils, monocytes and neutrophils to phagocytose them?

Wondergirl
Apr 6, 2012, 08:22 AM
That's part of their adaptive immunity ability. They are very versatile little guys.

Roddilla
Apr 6, 2012, 08:24 AM
But why do we classify them as innate?

Wondergirl
Apr 6, 2012, 08:28 AM
Antibodies identify and neutralize foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses for the immune system.

Wondergirl
Apr 6, 2012, 08:34 AM
The immune system is innate.

From Wikipedia --

innate immune system = non-specific immune system, first line of defense, comprises the cells and mechanisms that defend the host from infection by other organisms in a non-specific manner. This means that the cells of the innate system recognize and respond to pathogens in a generic way, but unlike the adaptive immune system, it does not confer long-lasting or protective immunity to the host.